Deuteronomy 5:27

KJV

Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear [it], and do [it].

KJV (with Strong's)

Go thou near {H7126}, and hear {H8085} all that the LORD {H3068} our God {H430} shall say {H559}: and speak {H1696} thou unto us all that the LORD {H3068} our God {H430} shall speak {H1696} unto thee; and we will hear {H8085} it, and do {H6213} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

You, go near; and hear everything ADONAI our God says. Then you will tell us everything ADONAI our God says to you; and we will listen to it and do it.'

Berean Standard Bible

Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says. Then you can tell us everything the LORD our God tells you; we will listen and obey.”

American Standard Version

Go thou near, and hear all that Jehovah our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that Jehovah our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 5:27 records the Israelites' profound and fearful plea to Moses at Mount Horeb, immediately following God's direct and terrifying revelation of the Ten Commandments. Overwhelmed by the divine presence manifested in fire and thunder, the people recognized their inability to endure further unmediated encounters with God. They implored Moses to serve as their intermediary, receiving God's words on their behalf and relaying them to the nation, while simultaneously affirming their solemn commitment to listen to and obey all that the LORD would command through His chosen prophet. This pivotal moment underscores both God's awesome holiness and humanity's need for a mediator, alongside the people's earnest desire for covenant faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct and pivotal response from the Israelite assembly to the awe-inspiring and terrifying direct speech of God delivering the Ten Commandments, as recounted in [Deuteronomy 5:4-22](/deuteronomy/5-4-22 "Deuteronomy 5:4-22 - The Ten Commandments at Horeb"). The verses immediately preceding [Deuteronomy 5:27](/deuteronomy/5-27 "Deuteronomy 5:27 - Israel's Request for Moses' Mediation") (specifically [Deuteronomy 5:23-26](/deuteronomy/5-23-26 "Deuteronomy 5:23-26 - The People's Fear and Plea")) vividly portray the people's extreme fear, their conviction that continued direct exposure to God's voice would result in their death, and their desperate plea for Moses to intercede. Their request in [Deuteronomy 5:27](/deuteronomy/5-27 "Deuteronomy 5:27 - Israel's Request for Moses' Mediation") thus establishes Moses' indispensable role as the primary mediator of God's law for the remainder of Deuteronomy, where he expounds upon the covenant stipulations to the new generation poised to enter the Promised Land. This moment sets the stage for Moses' subsequent discourses, emphasizing the authoritative yet mediated nature of God's word to His people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Deuteronomy 5:27 is the wilderness encampment at Mount Horeb (Sinai), approximately forty years after the Exodus from Egypt. This location was the site of the formal establishment of the covenant between Yahweh and the newly formed nation of Israel. In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, direct encounters with the divine were often depicted as dangerous or fatal for mortals, reinforcing the Israelites' profound fear and their understanding of the immense gap between the human and divine realms. The concept of a mediator, a figure capable of bridging this gap, was a familiar notion, yet Moses' unique position—chosen by Yahweh to speak "face-to-face" ([Exodus 33:11](/exodus/33-11 "Exodus 33:11 - God Speaks to Moses Face to Face"))—set him apart. This event at Horeb solidified Moses' prophetic authority and the people's reliance on him as the conduit for divine instruction, a critical dynamic as they prepared for the conquest and settlement of Canaan.

* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 5:27 powerfully encapsulates several foundational themes central to the book of Deuteronomy and Israel's covenant relationship with God. Firstly, it highlights the **transcendent holiness and awesome power of God**, whose unmediated presence is too overwhelming for fallen humanity to endure without terror, as vividly described in [Deuteronomy 5:24](/deuteronomy/5-24 "Deuteronomy 5:24 - God's Greatness and Voice"). Secondly, it underscores the **necessity of divine mediation**, establishing Moses' unique and indispensable role as prophet and intercessor, a theme previously introduced in [Exodus 20:19](/exodus/20-19 "Exodus 20:19 - Israel's Plea for Moses' Mediation"). Thirdly, the people's concluding declaration, "we will hear [it], and do [it]," introduces the paramount Deuteronomic theme of **active obedience** to God's word. This commitment to "hear and do" (Hebrew: *shama'* and *'asah'*) is not merely passive reception but a foundational principle for covenant faithfulness and prosperity, a concept reiterated throughout Moses' exhortations, such as in [Deuteronomy 6:3](/deuteronomy/6-3 "Deuteronomy 6:3 - Hear and Obey for Prosperity") and [Deuteronomy 27:10](/deuteronomy/27-10 "Deuteronomy 27:10 - Obey the Voice of the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ_ H8085):** This primitive root signifies far more than mere auditory perception. In the context of the covenant, it implies intelligent listening, deep understanding, paying careful attention, and, most critically, obedience. When the Israelites declare, "we will hear," they are not simply promising to perceive sounds but to internalize, assent to, and commit themselves to the divine instructions Moses will relay. This concept of "hearing" as active, obedient reception is a hallmark of Deuteronomic theology, emphasizing that true listening leads to faithful action.
* **Speak (Hebrew, _dâbar_ H1696):** This primitive root refers to the act of speaking, but within a theological framework, it often denotes authoritative divine communication, the utterance of God's very word. The people's request for Moses to "speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee" highlights their recognition of the authoritative and divine origin of the message, even when mediated. It underscores the prophetic function as the chosen conduit for God's authoritative utterances to humanity, a role that involves arranging and declaring divine truth.
* **Do (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh_ H6213):** This primitive root means "to do," "to make," or "to perform," encompassing a broad range of actions and applications. Paired with _shâmaʻ_ (hear), it forms the quintessential command for covenant living: to "hear and do." It emphasizes the practical, active response required of God's people. Their promise to "do" signifies a commitment to put God's commands into practice, to live according to His statutes and ordinances, demonstrating their faithfulness not merely in word or thought, but through diligent and purposeful action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say:"** This initial clause represents the people's urgent and fearful plea to Moses. "Go thou near" implies a unique proximity to the divine presence that they themselves cannot endure without perishing. They are asking Moses, as their appointed representative, to "hear" (שָׁמַע, _shâmaʻ_) God's direct communication. This acknowledges Moses' singular ability to withstand the divine encounter and receive the revelation, setting him apart as the chosen mediator between God and Israel.
* **"and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee;"** This is the core of their request for Moses' mediation. The people desire God's word, yet they require it to be delivered through a human agent. Moses is to receive the divine revelation directly from God and then "speak" (דָּבַר, _dâbar_) it to them. This establishes the prophetic chain of communication: God speaks to the prophet, and the prophet, in turn, speaks to the people. The repeated phrase "the LORD our God" powerfully reinforces the divine origin, authority, and covenantal nature of the message being conveyed.
* **"and we will hear [it], and do [it]."** This concluding phrase is the people's solemn and binding covenantal promise. "We will hear [it]" (שָׁמַע, _shâmaʻ_) signifies not merely passive listening, but active understanding, internalizing, and accepting the divine word as authoritative and true. "And do [it]" (עָשָׂה, _ʻâsâh_) is the commitment to active obedience, to diligently put God's instructions into practice in their daily lives. This declaration is a crucial affirmation of their willingness to enter into and uphold the covenant relationship with Yahweh, demonstrating their intent to live by His commands and thereby receive His blessings.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 5:27 masterfully employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. **Repetition** is a prominent feature, particularly with the phrase "the LORD our God" and the repeated concepts of "speak" (דָּבַר) and "hear" (שָׁמַע). This repetition serves to emphasize the divine origin and absolute authority of the message, as well as the dual actions of receiving and obeying God's word. The verse functions as a direct **Dialogue**, capturing the immediate and heartfelt speech of the people to Moses, which lends a sense of urgency, immediacy, and dramatic tension to the narrative. Furthermore, there is a clear implicit **Contrast** drawn between God's terrifying, unmediated speech and the mediated, digestible speech delivered through Moses, highlighting both the people's inherent limitations and Moses' unique and indispensable prophetic role. The underlying **Motif** of the people's fear, though not explicitly a literary device, powerfully drives their request for mediation, underscoring the immense holiness, power, and transcendence of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 5:27 stands as a foundational text for understanding the dynamics of divine revelation and humanity's required response. It powerfully illustrates God's profound desire to communicate with His people, yet also highlights the immense chasm between His infinite, unapproachable holiness and humanity's finite, fallen nature, thereby necessitating a mediator. The Israelites' visceral fear at Horeb was not a sign of weakness but an appropriate, reverent response to the raw, unmediated power of the Almighty. Their plea for Moses to intercede established a crucial precedent for the prophetic office in Israel, where chosen individuals would stand between God and His people, faithfully delivering His authoritative word. This pivotal moment also solidified the covenantal demand for active obedience—not merely hearing God's word intellectually, but diligently putting it into practice. This "hear and do" principle is a central, recurring theme throughout the entire book of Deuteronomy and remains fundamental to biblical faith, emphasizing that true knowledge of God's will must translate into faithful action.

* [Exodus 20:19](/exodus/20-19 "Exodus 20:19 - Israel's Request for Moses' Mediation")
* [Hebrews 12:18-24](/hebrews/12-18-24 "Hebrews 12:18-24 - The Terrifying Sinai vs. The Gracious Zion")
* [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Be Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 5:27 serves as a profound and enduring reminder of the awesome holiness of God and our inherent human limitations in His presence. The Israelites' fear at Mount Horeb was not a flaw but a righteous recognition of divine majesty and their own creaturely vulnerability. For believers today, while we do not typically experience the terrifying, direct manifestations of God's presence as seen at Sinai, the underlying principle remains: God is utterly holy, and we, by nature, are not. This verse should cultivate within us a deep reverence for God and His inspired word. It also challenges us to critically examine our own posture towards divine revelation. Do we merely "hear" God's word, allowing it to pass through us without truly impacting our lives, or do we, like the Israelites' solemn promise, commit to "hear and do" it? True faith is demonstrated not merely in intellectual assent or emotional stirring, but in active, Spirit-empowered obedience. This passage encourages us to embrace a life characterized by humble listening to biblical truth and diligent application of it, recognizing that God's word is given for our ultimate good, for our transformation, and for the flourishing of our covenant relationship with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the Israelites' fear at Mount Horeb reveal about the nature of God and the appropriate human response to His holiness?**
* **In what specific areas of my life do I tend to "hear" God's word without truly "doing" it, and what steps can I take to bridge this gap?**
* **How does the concept of mediation, as exemplified by Moses in this passage, deepen our understanding of the unique and ultimate role of Jesus Christ?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of reverence and active obedience to God's commands in my daily walk with Him?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Israelites fear direct communication from God, and why did God allow Moses to mediate?**

Answer: The Israelites feared direct communication from God because His presence was manifested with overwhelming power, consuming fire, thunder, lightning, and a mighty voice, as vividly described in [Deuteronomy 5:22-26](/deuteronomy/5-22-26 "Deuteronomy 5:22-26 - God's Voice and the People's Fear"). They genuinely believed that continued direct exposure to God's unmediated glory would result in their death, as they explicitly stated in [Deuteronomy 5:25](/deuteronomy/5-25 "Deuteronomy 5:25 - The Fear of Death from God's Voice"). In His infinite mercy and profound wisdom, God accommodated their fear and allowed Moses to serve as an intermediary. This arrangement not only preserved the people's lives but also established a crucial pattern for divine revelation through chosen prophets, making God's commands accessible, understandable, and less overwhelming to His people. It powerfully underscored both God's transcendent holiness and His compassionate condescension to communicate with humanity in a way they could bear.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 5:27, with its poignant plea for a mediator, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Israelites' terror at the unapproachable holiness of God at Mount Sinai vividly foreshadows humanity's universal and desperate need for a bridge to the divine. Moses, though a faithful and uniquely privileged mediator for his time, was but a shadow, a type, pointing to the one who was to come. The New Testament profoundly reveals Jesus as the [one mediator between God and mankind](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - Christ Jesus, the One Mediator"), who not only perfectly speaks God's word to us but is Himself the living Word made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Unlike Moses, who merely relayed God's commands, Jesus perfectly embodied, fulfilled, and ultimately transcended the Law through His sinless life and atoning sacrifice. Through His death and resurrection, He has opened a new and living way for us to [draw near to God with confidence](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence"), no longer needing to fear death in His presence, but rather finding grace and mercy. The promise of the New Covenant, where God's law is written not on tablets of stone but on our hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant and the Law on Hearts")), enables us by the indwelling Holy Spirit to truly "hear and do" God's will, fulfilling the very desire expressed by the Israelites at Horeb, but now in a deeper, more transformative, and Spirit-empowered way through our vital union with Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 20:19

And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

Hebrews 12:19

And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which [voice] they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: